Landed His Dream Job

By Tara Potter with Vision of Hope

Chris McKinney has landed his dream job!  Chris began an employment preparation class at Vision of Hope in Pace, Florida, called JUMP Start in September of last year.  The class whose name stands for:  Jobs Unique to My Potential, helped him to create a resume and a job acquisition plan that was based off what Chris expressed as his dreams for independence.  From my first meeting with Chris he was adamant:  He just wanted a job.  He communicated that he wanted to make money to be independent.  He wants a career, a home, marriage and a future.  Just like anyone, Chris has big dreams and he is on his way to fulfilling them.

In September, Chris began job development.  When asked which employers he would like to contact first after completing his person-centered plan for employment, his first choice was Whataburger.  When his supports at Vision of Hope started to ask questions such as, “Why do you want to work at Whataburger,” and learned that he wants to be a part of a team and can interact with the community, they agreed:  it would be a good fit for him.  Whataburger is also one of Chris’s favorite treats which made it even more special to him when Whataburger afforded him an offer to be an important part of their Milton team.  Chris began working at Whataburger on Stuart Street in Milton, just before Christmas.  His new supervisor, Micca Rodriguez, is a fantastic support to Chris.  From the first day we met Micca, Chris was charming, able to sell himself, by expressing to her that he had always wanted to work at Whataburger, and this was his dream job.  She and Chris hit it off from the start.  After that first meeting, Chris followed up with a thank you email for the meeting and later dropped off a copy of his person-centered plan for employment.  With excellent follow-up after a submitted online application, Chris was offered the job working three days per week at $10 per hour.

Chris is a valued member of the Whataburger team.  He has formed relationships with his co-workers that bring a big smile to his face that is planted there from the start to the end of every shift.  Which is a good thing since he is supposed to be an excellent customer service ambassador as a Dining Room host.  Many repeat customers are present at this hometown Whataburger due to the friendly and competent staff headed by a top-notch supervisor (Micca) who embodies all the Whataburger philosophies:  have pride in your work, care for your co-workers, and love the customers.  See, smile say is the slogan they give to their employees to remind them to always greet the customer right when they walk in: “Welcome to Whataburger,” this is a slogan that Chris can now say in his sleep.  He has done an amazing job of making the customers feel welcomed and valued and to stay on top of their needs.

His goal to work and gain independence is an inspiration and his willingness to constantly strive to learn and do more, is fun to watch.  We are so proud of Chris and so thankful to Micca and her awesome team for showing us that working together makes dreams happen!

For more information about employment services offered at Vision of Hope, 5555 Woodbine Road, Pace, FL.  Please visit www.visionofhopefl.org, or call 850-994-2000.


Chris McKinney is a valued member of the Whataburger team.